Tendulkar, Pietersen, de Villiers, Rohit, Kohli my role models: Shreyas Iyer

India's Shreyas Iyer celebrates his 100 runs during the first One Day International cricket match between New Zealand and India at Seddon Park in Hamilton on February 5, 2020. (Photo by MICHAEL BRADLEY / AFP)


Terming the Indian captain as “relentless”, Shreyas Iyer on Wednesday said Sachin Tendulkar, Kevin Pietersen, AB de Villiers and Rohit Sharma are his role models along with Virat Kohli.

“My role models are @sachin_rt, @KP24, @ABdeVilliers17, @ImRo45, @imVkohli,” India’s limited overs No.4 batsman said in a Twitter Q&A while spending time at home like the rest of India due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The country is observing a 21-day lockdown to defeat the deadly virus which has so far taken 10 lives in this part of the world.

Asked to comment on former India captain MS Dhoni, Iyer said he is a true leader.

“Cool, calm, consistent and a true leader.”

The Delhi Capitals captain was also asked to pick his favourite Indian Premier League innings.

“Scoring 93 against KKR when I was given captaincy. Will always be memorable for me,” he said.

Iyer also picked Jemimah Rodrigues as his favourite female cricketer, adding that a cheat day meal for him would be home cooked mutton biryani.

The 25-year old Iyer has been in sublime form recently scoring 103 in the first ODI in New Zealand and following it up with scores of 52 and 62.

Although India lost the series 0-3, Iyer further underlined his credential as a No. 4 batsman, a spot which has troubled India for a long time including in the 2019 World Cup where they lost to New Zealand in the semi-finals. Iyer was also among runs in the T20 series in New Zealand which India won 5-0.